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Rangers make moves with struggling prospects

ANTHONYANDRO

FS Southwest

ARLINGTON, Texas – Mike Olt and Cody Buckel, two of the top prospects in the Texas system, are dealing with separate issues that have slowed them.

Olt, who hasn't played since last Thursday for Triple A Round Rock, told the team he was having vision problems and has been seeing doctors in the Metroplex.

Buckel, the left-hander for Double A Frisco, has been shifted to the bullpen in an effort to get things straightened out after an awful start to the season.

Olt has struggled at the plate for Round Rock, hitting .139 with 32 strikeouts in 72 at-bats. The
Rangers don't know if the vision problems have contributed to his start but it's a possibility.

"It would make sense if it does," Texas general manager Jon Daniels said. "But until we get an official diagnosis, we'll probably hold off on drawing any conclusions yet."

The Rangers could know more about Olt's vision issues Wednesday.

Buckel has nothing physically wrong with him but he's 0-4 in five starts with an 18.00 ERA. Buckel hasn't pitched more than three innings in any of his starts and he's walked 25 batters in nine innings.

Daniels said they club considered sending Buckel to extended spring training to try and work things out but opted to keep him with Frisco.

"Obviously he's been scuffling pretty much all year," Daniels said. "Moving him to Frisco in the bullpen for the time being and let him continue to work out his issues with the staff there. It's not physical and that's the biggest thing. He's healthy and he's ready to get to work on it."